IT is not a misprint. After more than 12 months of trials and tribulations, York Wasps have finally won a Northern Ford Premiership match.

Yesterday, of course, was Mother's Day and, let's be frank, the Wasps and their supporters have had to endure the mother of all waits.

They have gone 29 games since their previous league win, at home to Gateshead Thunder on February 22, 2001. And they have sat at the foot of the NFP table for the most part in between.

Yesterday, however, they registered their highest total in a league game since 1999 and have risen to the dizzy heights of third from bottom.

That said, the result shouldn't be too much of a shock because Chorley have only two wins to their name this term, while the Wasps have already shown this season - albeit in patches - that they have the ability to compete.

The manner of victory, however, was a little surprising. Leo Epifania's men have not been averse to the odd mistake or two, but for the most part yesterday - or at least for as long as it mattered - they were as clean as a whistle.

The last ten minutes or so of either half were a bit sloppy, but this is not a day to criticise or complain. It is a day to rejoice.

The Wasps kept it strong for the opening half-hour - barring one excusable mistake that led to Chorley's opening try - and gave themselves every chance of winning it after the break.

Then they swept Lynx aside with a five-try burst in 19 minutes of swashbuckling rugby.

Granted, they did take their foot off the pedal late on and stray from the match-winning game-plan, but the game was over by then so let's not dwell on that.

The Wasps began the match facing a wind which was so strong before kick-off that it blew a dug-out over. The last time they kicked off against such a Huntington Stadium gale, they conceded 30 points in 25 minutes (against Leigh). This time, however, they played good, basic rugby with the ball and defended just as steadily.

Their first real mistake was to concede a 16th-minute penalty for a high tackle, which Paul Wilcock missed from 32 yards. Their second mistake was more costly.

Chorley's impressive stand-off, Safraz Patel, hoisted a swirling up and under, which was misjudged in the wind by Gavin Molloy, who could only spill the ball for Michael Watts to score, Paul Wilcocks converting.

The next seven minutes, however, belonged to York and in particular Leigh Deakin.

Starting a game on the wing for the first time this season, Deakin brought Wasps back in it with a superb individual try. The ball came out to him from a scrum, he beat one man then held off two more as he powered his way over.

Two minutes later, he scored again, but this one was a wonderful team effort, the likes of which haven't been seen at Huntington Stadium for some time.

Mark Cain made the initial break from deep inside his own half and Ian Kirke took up the running. His pass back to Cain went astray, but as it looked like the move was over, full-back Sorbello came from nowhere to take the ball on the bounce, make good yards and then pass to Carl Hall. The Kiwi darted for the corner then threw the ball back inside for Deakin to score.

Another sprint from Kirke saw Hall held up just short and Sorbello also hit the bar with a kick, but as the Wasps strayed from the game-plan Lynx hit back.

Benn - who was excellent in the unaccustomed role of stand-off in place of the suspended Jon Liddell - stopped Kris Tickle with a flying tackle but was sin-binned for laying on too long and Tickle goaled the penalty.

Patel then made most of the gap created by Benn's departure to set up prop Tim Street to get the first of his hat-trick, gleefully belly-flopping under the sticks. Tickle converted to make it 8-14 at the break.

However, with the wind behind them on the resumption, York took control.

Cain, who looked dangerous all day, dummied and side-stepped his way over, then captain Peter Edwards took Benn's fine pass to dummy and sprint his way to the line.

Benn's two conversions took Wasps past the 20-mark for the first time in a league game since that victory over Gateshead, and to mark the occasion the wind died down and the sun briefly appeared.

Cain's precision saw Mick Ramsden surge down the right channel to touch down and then Cain made another break to feed prop Andy Precious to lift the knees and go for the line, punching the air as he crossed.

Benn converted before Edwards' long pass opened it up for the excellent Hall to race over.

Edwards' next major contribution was to have a fight with Patel which earned both a yellow card. But it didn't really matter.

The incident was sandwiched by two tries for Chorley's Street and, although he might have resembled a 1970s wrestler, it was no more than the bald-headed prop deserved. However, it rather flattered the visitors as a whole and was nothing more than consolation.

Epifania might have been outwardly professional in claiming he was still disappointed with some aspects of Wasps' play. But inside he must have been doing cartwheels - the fans were, while the MC even blasted Handel's 'Messiah' (consisting solely of the word 'Hallelujah') over the speakers on the final hooter.

The only shame about it all was the fact only 280 people turned up on what was, granted, a pig of a day.

Nevertheless, although Workington next Sunday will offer a different kettle of fish, the long haul to west Cumbria doesn't seem so arduous.

Fact file:

York Wasps

T: Deakin (24, 26), Cain (48), Edwards (51), Ramsden (59), Precious (63), Hall (67).

Team

Sorbello 7, Molloy 6, Moore 6, Hall 8, Deakin 8, Benn 8, Cain 9, Docherty 7, Pallister 7, Hill 7, Kirke 8, Ramsden 7, Edwards 8.

Subs (all used): Precious 7, Lee 6, Crake 6, Yeaman 7.

Sin-binned: Benn (35), Edwards (74)

Sent off: None.

Chorely Lynx

T: Watts (19), Street (40, 71, 78).

C: Wilcocks, Tickle.

P: Tickle (37).

Team

Watts, Wilcock, Ramsdale, Kilgannon, Stewart, Patel, Robinson, Street, Roden, Grundy, Bellamy, Causey, Bloor.

Subs (all used): Tickle, Talbot, Hamilton, Parry.

Sin-binned: Patel (74).

HT: 8-14.Referee: Julian King (St Helens). Att: 280

Sent off: None.

C: Benn 3

Updated: 10:48 Monday, March 11, 2002